Mining machine



Feib, M, 193%. c. A. PRATT 2,@3,535

MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1931 ll SheetsSheet l Feb '11 II, 193$ c. A. PRATT 2,030,535

MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 (War/75g Feb. H, 1936 c, A, PRATT a MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 away C. A. PRATT MINING MACHINE Feb. 131, 1936.

Filed Aug. 28, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 2&30535 C. A. PRATT MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1931 ll Sheets- Sheet 5 Feb H, 1935 c. A. PRATT 2,3,535

MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 J74 Jig J50 9/ L90 Feb, 111, 1936., c. APRATT 2,3,535

MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 23, 1931 11 Sheets-Sheet"? eb 11,3936; P AT zmswa MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 28, 1951 ll Sheets-Sheet 9 I I I I I I I W I I 3'' I I I l I I I I I. I I"??? mo 11, was. c. A. PRATT mamas MINING MACHINE I I Filed Aug. 28, 1931 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 0 2%? an a gig Wormg c' PRMT mws g MINING MACHINE 11 sheet-s ll Filed Aug. 28, 1931 Patented Feb. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MINING MACHINE Application August 28,

45 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in mining machines and more particularly to a new and improved track-mounted mining machine adapted to cut a kerf adjacent the mine bottom in front of the mine rails or at various elevations with respect thereto.

My invention has as one of its objects to provide a new and improved mining machine of the class described particularly adapted for use in restricted places such as mine entries and arranged to out a kerf across a coal face while the machine is held in a stationary position on the track, which kerf may have a substantially straight inner face.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as this specification proceeds.

My invention may be more clearly understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details thereof;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the rearward portion of the device shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the forward portion of the device shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details of the feeding and cutter chain driving mechanism;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan View of the forward portion of the device shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section showing the details shown in Figure 3 in plan elevation;

Figure 5 is a partial fragmentary plan View of the rearward portion of the device shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away and in section to more clearly show the details of the truck drive;

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial fragmentary detail view of the forward portion of the device shown in Figure 1 showing certain details of the feed drive mechanism;

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line l--'l of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a partial fragmentary detail plan view of the forward portion of the device with parts broken away and in section showing certain details of the cutting mechanism supporting device;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-ii) of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a detail plan view of the forward 1981, Serial No. 559,869

portion of the embodiment of my invention illustrated with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 12 is a partial fragmentary side elevation of the forward portion of the embodiment of my invention illustrated showing the control levers therefor;

Figure 13 is a sectional View taken substantially on line l3l3 of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is an enlarged detail partial sectional view of one of the controlling levers;

Figure 15 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the details of certain of the brake operating means; and

Figures 16 to 22, inclusive, are diagrammatic views showing the operation of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the embodiment of my invention illustrated ineludes a main or truck frame I I mounted on track wheels I2 and axles l3 and having a cutting element, generally indicated at M, supported thereon for transverse movement across the forward end thereof and pivotal movement with respect thereto.

The truck frame I I supports suitable power means for operating the cutting element I4. and driving the truck on its track wheels about the mine, which power means may be of any well known type, but is herein preferably shown as being an electric motor l5 of a usual construction.

The electric motor l5 has operative connection with the track wheels l2 for driving said track wheels through a motor pinion l6 which meshes with and drives a spur gear I! keyed on a longitudinally extending stub shaft l8. A spur pinion I9 is keyed on the opposite end of said stub shaft and meshes with and drives a spur gear 2| on a longitudinally extending shaft 22. A bevel gear 23 is keyed on the opposite end of the shaft 22. This bevel gear meshes with and drives bevel gears 24 on opposite sides thereof freely mounted on a transversely extending shaft 25. Clutch jaws 26 are formed integral with the inner face 5 of the bevel gears 24. Said clutch jaws are adapted to be engaged by clutch jaws 21 on a clutch collar'2B which is feathered on the transversely extending shaft so said shaft may be driven in opposite directions without reversal of the motor 5 I5 in the usual manner. 1

A sprocket 29 is keyed on the outer end of the transversely extending shaft 25 and has driving connection with the rearward truck axle l3 by means of a suitable chain and sprocket drive in- 55 dicated at 30. The forward and rearward truck axles I3 are connected together by suitable chain and sprocket drives, generally indicated at 3I.

A suitable braking device is provided for braking the mining machine when desired and holding said mining machine in a stationary position on the track during the cutting operation. Said braking device may be of any suitable construction but is herein preferably shown as comprising a brake drum 32 keyed on the transversely extending shaft 25 and adapted to be engaged by a brake band 33 through a suitable system of levers in a usual manner.

Referring now in particular to the means for supporting the cutting element I4 on the truck frame II for transverse movement therealong and pivotal movement with respect thereto, a transversely extending guide member 35 is provided on the truck frame I I adjacent the forward end thereof. Said transversely extending guide member is pivotally supported adjacent its upper side on a transversely extending shaft 31 supported on a forward vertical wall of a frame member 36. Said transversely extending shaft is supported intermediate its ends in the frame member 36 and its ends are journaled in suitable lugs integral with and extending rearwardly of the transversely .extending guide member 35. Said shaft forms a support for said transversely extending guide member (see Figure 8).

Means are provided to move the transversely extending guide member 35 about the axis of the transverse shaft 31 which herein comprise a pair of threaded members 38 disposed on opposite sides of the frame member 35 (see Figures 1 and 3). Said threaded members are threaded within the hubs of worm gears 39 journaled in housings 48. The worm gears 39 mesh with and are driven from worms 4I fixed on a transversely extending shaft 42. Said transversely extending shaft may be driven in any manner well known to those familiar with the art; as, for instance, a hand crank (not herein shown) adapted to fit on a squared end of said shaft.

A collar 43 is provided adjacent the forward end of the threaded portion of each threaded member 38. A compression spring 44 encircles each of said threaded members and abuts the collar 43 at one of its ends. The opposite end of each of said compression springs fits on a lug 35a extending rearwardly from the transversely extending guide member 35 and engages the rearward side of said transversely extending guide member. Thus, a yieldable means has been provided for supporting the transversely extending guide member 35 and cutting element I4. It may thus be seen that rotation of the transversely extending shaft 42 drives the worm gears 39 which moves the transversely extending guide member 35 about the axis of the shaft 31 through the compression springs 44 to form a means for adjusting the angle of the cutting element I4 with respect to the mine bottom, and that the compression springs 44 form a yieldable support for the cutting mechanism and serve to counteract the effect of the forces imparted to the truck frame II by the cutting element I4 during the cutting operation due to irregularities in the coal seam.

The transversely extending guide member 35 comprises a fixed central portion 41 and hinged outer portions 48. Some of. the purposes in hinging the outer ends of the transversely extending guide member 35 are to make it possible to position the hinged outer portions of said guide memher along the truck frame II and keep the width of the mining machine to a minimum while traveling and to make it possible to cut a kerf in a relatively narrow entry when desired which may require one outer end extended and the other folded; as, for example, where the working face is wide, both of the outer ends 48 may be locked in an extended position, but where the working face is narrow, one or the other, or both of the outer ends 48, may be folded along the sides of the machine making it possible to effectively cut in working places of varying widths.

In looking at Figures 8, 9 and 10, which show the details of the means for supporting the hinged outer portions 48 on the central portion 41, it may be seen that a hinge member 49 is secured to the inner end of the outer portions 48 of the transversely extending guide member 45. This hinge member extends rearwardly and inwardly from each outer portion 48 of the guide member 35 and is adapted to be engaged adjacent its top and bottom sides by ears 50 secured to the outer ends of the central portion 41 of the transversely extending guide member 35 and extending rearwardly and outwardly therefrom. A shaft 52 extends through the ears 50 and the hinge member 49 for securing the hinged outer portions 48 to opposite ends of the central portion 41 and allowing said hinged outer portions to be pivotally moved with respect to said central portion.

Means are provided for locking the hinged outer portions 48 in alignment with the central portion 41, which means herein comprise a pin 53 adapted to pass through each ear 50 and hinge member 49. Likewise, additional locking means are provided to lock the hinged outer portions 48 in alignment with the central portion 41 and also aid in supporting said hinged outer portions when locked in alignment with said central portion.

Said means herein comprises a sector plate 54 integral with each hinged outer portion 48 and extending inwardly therefrom. Each sector plate 54 is adapted to slide in a guide groove 55 formed in the lower outer ends of the central portion 41. A pin 55 is provided for locking the sector plate 54 in alignment with the central portion 41 of the transversely extending guide member 35.

It should herein be noted that the transversely extending guide member 35 is L-shaped, having its base extending forwardly from the truck frame II, and that the guide grooves 55 are formed in the base of the L of the central portion 41 and that the sector plate 54 is formed integral with the base of the L of the hinged outer portions 48, which construction provides a rigid support for the cutting element I4.

Thus the truck frame I I has been provided with an adjustable guide member extending transversely across the forward end thereof for supporting the cutting element I4 for movement therealong, which guide member may be locked in an extended position with respect to said truck or may be folded against the side of said truck. It may also be seen that said guide member is supported for yieldable movement about a horizontal transverse axis and forms a means for yieldably adjusting the angle of the cutting element with respect to the mine bottom, which provides yieldability in the cutting element to compensate for irregularities in the material to be cut.

Referring now in particular to the cutting element and means for supporting said cutting element on the guide member 35, said cutting element comprises a cutter head 51 supported on said guide member for movement therealong as has hereinbefore been mentioned. Said cutter head serves to house the cutting element drive gearing and the mechanism for feeding said cutter head and cutting element transversely across said transverse guide member.

A portion 58 of the cutter head 51 extends rearwardly therefrom over and around the guide member 35 and has engagement with the rearward side thereof (see Figure 3). Suitable rollers 59 are provided in the portion 58 of said cutter head to engage the rearward side of said guide member and reduce the friction between said cutting element and said guide member upon movement of said cutting element therealo-ng. The lower rearward side of said cutter head has bearing engagement with the forward side of the transversely extending guide member 35 while rollers 60 extend downwardly from the cutter head 51 and have bearing engagement with the top side of the base of the L of the transversely extending guide member 35. Likewise, a portion 6l extends downwardly from the cutter head 51. This portion of the cutter head 51 is provided with a guide groove 62, which engages a gib 63 extending downwardly from the forward side of the base of the L which forms the transversely extending guide member 35. Thus a rigid support has been provided for the cutter head 51 so said cutter head may be moved along the transversely extending guide member 35 during the cutting operation.

The cutter head 51 serves to support a cutter bar 64 for vertical movement with respect thereto in parallel spaced depending guides 65. Said parallel spaced depending guides are disposed on opposite sides of the cutter head 51 forwardly of the transversely extending guide member 35 but rearwardly of the major portion of the cutter head 51.

Referring now in particular to the cutter bar 6!! and the method of supporting said cutter bar in the parallel spaced depending guides 65 for vertical movement with respect to the cutter head 5! and for movement about a vertical axis, said cutter bar is provided with a cutter chain 66 which rearwardly outwardly from an annular shaped support member 10. Retaining strips 69a are secured to the rearward side of the arms 69 and abut the rearward side of the depending guides 65 for holding the annular shaped support mem- ;ber to the guides 65 for movement therealong.

The annular shaped support member 1! is adapted to support a cutter bar supporting member H, which extends rearwardly from the cutter bar 65.

The cutter bar supporting member H has bearing engagement with the inner periphery of the annular shaped support member '16 and with the lower and outer sides of said annular shaped support member and has an internal gear 12 cut in its inner periphery. An annular ring 13 is secured to the top outer portion of the cutter bar supporting member 1! in a usual manner and engages a shoulder 14 in the top outer portion of the annular shaped support member 10 for holding said cutter bar supporting member to said annular shaped support member for pivotal movement with respect thereto.

A pinion 75 is preferably shown as being integral with the lower end of a threaded shaft 76. Said threaded shaft is journaled in and extends upwardly from the annular shaped support member 10 so as to be fixed from vertical movement with respect thereto. Said pinion is rotatable in an opening H in the annular shaped support member H3 and meshes with the internal gear 12 for pivotally moving said cutter bar supporting member upon rotation of the threaded shaft 16.

The threaded shaft '56 has its upper portion threaded within the hub of a worm gear '59, which worm gear is journaled in the forward end of the cutter head Bl. Keyways 80 are provided in opposite sides of the threaded shaft 16 and are adapted to be engaged by feather keys Si in a collar 82 disposed above the worm gear 19. Clutch jaws 83 are provided on the top face of said worm gear and are adapted to be engaged by clutch jaws 84 depending from the collar 82 for rotating said collar and said threaded shaft. This pivotally moves the cutter bar supporting member H and cutter bar 64 about the annular shaped support member H3. Suitable means are provided to engage the clutch jaws 85 with the clutch jaws 83, which means are of an ordinary construction well known to those familiar with the art so are not herein described or shown in detail.

It may now be seen that upon rotation of the worm gear 19 when clutch jaws 84 engage the clutch jaws 83, the cutter bar 66 is pivotally moved about a vertical axis and when the clutch jaws 84 are disengaged from the clutch jaws 83, the cutter bar 64 is moved towards or away from the cutter head 5! depending upon the direction of rotation of the worm gear 79.

The worm gear 19 is driven by a worm 85 on a longitudinally extending shaft 83, which shaft in turn is driven from the motor !5 at a plurality of frictionally controlled speeds in reverse directions without reversal of said motor in a manner which will hereinafter be more fully described. Said worm gear and worm are of the self-locking type so the cutter bar 64 may be locked in a fixed position when the clutch jaws 84 engage the clutch jaws 83 and the worm 85 is immobile. Thus the cutter bar 64 may be moved in a locked position transversely across the face of the truck frame H in any desired angular position of said cutter bar with respect to said truck frame. be noted that While aself-locking worm and worm gear is herein utilized for locking the cutter bar 64 in fixed relation with respect to the cutter head 51, that any other well-known form of locking means may be used.

Referring now in particular to the means for driving the cutter chain 65 about the cutter bar 6 a sleeve 8'! is journaled within the cutter bar supporting member I! and is shouldered so as to abut the underside of said cutter bar supporting member. Said sleeve is provided with another shoulder for supporting a cutter chain drive sprocket 88, which sprocket meshes with and drives the cutter chain 66. A collar 89 is threaded on the top portion of the sleeve 3? and abuts an internal shoulder in the cutter bar supporting member H for holding said sleeve within said cutter bar supporting member.

The inner periphery of the sleeve 87 is provided with a plurality of grooves adapted to be engaged by a splined shaft 90. Said splined shaft extends upwardly from said sleeve and passes through a vertically extending sleeve 9i journaled within the cutter head 5'5.

Another vertically extending splined shaft 93 has driving engagement with a hollow central portion of the splined shaft 96. Said splined shaft It should is provided with a clutch collar 94 at its upper end, which has clutch jaws 95 depending therefrom and engageable with clutch jaws formed in a fiange 95 extending outwardly from the top 1 portion of the vertically extending sleeve 9| (see Figure 3). The jaws 95 of the clutch collar 94 are engaged with or disengaged from the jaws formed in the flange 95 of the vertically extending sleeve 9| by means of a suitable system of levers in a usual manner not herein shown or described since it is no portion of my invention.

The vertically extending sleeve 9| is keyed to a bevel gear 91 near its upper portion, which bevel gear is journaled on its hub in the top portion of the cutter head 51 and is driven by a bevel pinion 98 keyed on the forward end of a shaft 99 journaled within a movable support member I00.

Thus when the vertically extending sleeve 9| is driven from the bevel gear 91 the cutter chain sprocket 88 may be driven from the clutch collar 94, vertically extending splined shaft 93 and splined shaft 90 and said splined shafts are so arranged as to compensate for vertical movement of said cutter bar with respect to said cutter head in an obvious manner.

Referring now in particular to the means for driving the shaft 99 from the motor I5, the movable support member I bears on the top face of the bevel gear 91 and is journaled on the vertically extending sleeve 9| beneath the flange 95 for pivotal movement thereabout (see Figure 3). Said movable support member extends rearwardly from said vertically extending sleeve and is provided with an open rearward portion adapted to slidably engage opposite sides of a pivotally movable bearing support member IOI (see Figures 1 and 2). Said pivotally movable bearing support member has bearing engagement with the top portion and end of a rear- .wardly extending horizontal portion of the frame member 36 and extends rearwardly from the movable support member I00 and is provided with a weighted base I02 and an upright portion I03 forwardly of said weighted base and connecting said weighted base with the forward portion of said pivotally movable bearing support member. The upright portion I03 is journaled on a vertically extending bearing member I04 fixed on the top side of the truck frame I I and having a rearwardly extending portion I05 which is provided with parallel spaced arcuate shaped bearing strips I06 on its upper surface. Said bearing strips are adapted to be engaged by said weighted base so said base may be moved across the portion I05 of the vertical bearing member I04.

Suitable means are provided to reduce the friction between the weighted base I02 and the bearing strips I06, which means herein comprises a plurality of balls I01 mounted in the under side of the weighted base I02 in a usual manner well known to those skilled in the art. Said balls have bearing engagement with the top side of the rearwardly extending portion I05 of the vertically extending bearing member I04.

It may thus be seen that the movable support member I00 and pivotally movable bearing support members IOI are so arranged that when the cutter head 51 is moved along the transversely extending guide member 35, the movable support member I00 moves with said cutter head and slides along and pivots the pivotally movable bearing support member I0| about its axis of pivotal connection to the truck frame II. As said pivotally movable bearing support member is moved about its axis of pivotal connection to said truck frame, said weighted base is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the cutter head 51 to counterbalance said cutter head.

A universal coupling I09 of an ordinary construction is secured to the rearward end of the shaft 99 and has a shaft IIO secured thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. An internal splined sleeve III is secured to the shaft 0 and extends rearwardly therefrom and is adapted to be slidably engaged by and driven from a splined shaft I I2 keyed to and driven from a bevel gear I I3 journaled in the pivotally movable bearing support member IOI. Thus the splined shaft II2 telescopes within the sleeve II I upon movement of the cutting element I4 along the transversely extending guide member 35 and forms in effect a telescopic connection between the motor I5 and the cutter chain and feeding drive mechanism.

A bevel gear 4 meshes with the bevel gear II3 for driving said bevel gear and is journaled in the upper portion of the vertically extending bearing member I04. The bevel gear I I4 is keyed to the upper end of a vertical shaft 5 and a bevel gear H6 is keyed to the lower end of said vertical shaft and journaled on its hub within the lower portion of the vertically extending bearing member I04. The bevel gear I I6 is driven from a bevel gear I I1, which bevel gear is driven from the pinion I6 and the motor I5 by means of a suitable system of reduction gears indicated at II8 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 5). It may thus be seen that the arrangement of parts for driving the bevel gear 91 from the motor I5 is such that said bevel gear may be driven from said motor in all positions of the cutting element I4 along the transversely extendin guide member 35.

Referring now in particular to the means for driving the worm 85 from the motor I5 in reverse directions without reversal of said motor at a plurality of predetermined frictionally controlled speeds and the means for moving the cutting element I4 along the transversely extending guide member 35, a bevel gear I20 is keyed to the lower end of the vertically extending sleeve 9| and is journaled in its hub in the cutter head 51 (see Figure 3) Said bevel gear meshes with and drives a bevel gear I2I keyed on a stub shaft I22 journaled in a bearing support I23 extending upwardly from and integral with the lower inside portion of the cutter head 51. A spur gear I24 is keyed on the opposite end of the stub shaft I22 and meshes with and drives an idler gear I25 freely mounted on the longitudinally extending shaft 86 at one side thereof. Said idler gear meshes with a spur gear I25a keyed on a longitudinally extending sleeve I26. The spur gear I24 meshes with and drives an idler gear I21 on its opposite side which meshes with and drives a spur gear |21a keyed on a longitudinally extending sleeve I28 (see Figures 4 and '7) The longitudinally extending sleeve I26 is freely mounted on a longitudinal shaft I29 and is journaled within the hub of a casing I30 for a planetary gear reduction device I3I. The hub of said casing is in turn journaled in a bearing support I33 extending upwardly from the bottom portion of the cutter head 51.

The planetary gear reduction device I 3| is of a usual type well known to those familiar with the art, and as herein shown comprises a sun gear I34 cut integral with the inner end of the longitudinally extending sleeve I26 which meshes with and drives planetary pinions I35 journaled in a cage I36 (see Figure 6). The planetary pinions I35 are meshed with an internal gear I31 fixed to the inner periphery of the casing I30. Planetary pinions I39 are cut integral with planetary pinions I35 and are disposed to one side of said planetary pinions. The planetary pinions I39 mesh with an internal gear I46 keyed to the inner surface of a member I4I having a rearwardly extending hub I42 thereon journaled within a bearing support I43 extending upwardly from the bottom portion of the cutter head 51.

Suitable means are provided for holding the casing I30 from rotation or allowing said casing to rotate upon overload of the planetary gear reduction device I3I. Said means herein comprise a friction band I44 adapted to be engaged with the outer surface of the casing I30. Said friction band has a lug I45 thereon. A suitable spacing block is secured to the top portion of the lug I45 and is adapted to abut the under surface of an angle I46 secured to the inner surface of the cutter head 51. The opposite end of the friction band I44 has a lug I41 thereon. A threaded rod I48 passes through said lugs and has a nut I49 threaded thereon abutting the underportion of the lug I41. The upper end of the threaded rod I48 is pivotally supported on a lever arm I50 keyed on a transversely extending tubular shaft II. Said transversely extending tubular shaft has its ends journaled in opposite sides of the cutter head 51 and has hand levers I52 keyed to opposite sides thereof so said transversely extending tubular shaft may be operated from either side of the cutter head 51. (See Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive.)

Means are provided for locking each of the hand levers I52 in a fixed position with respect to the cutter head 51 and holding the friction band I44 in engagement with or disengagement from the casing I30, which means herein comprise a pin I53 which passes through the hand lever I52 and is adapted to-engage one of a number of apertures I54 in the outer surface of the cutter head 51. Said pin is engaged with said apertures by means of a lever I55 pivoted on the hand lever I52 intermediate its ends and having engagement with said pin at its opposite end.

Means are also provided wherein the hand 1evers I52 may be unlocked from one side or the other of the cutter head 51. Said means herein comprises a separate lever arm I56 pivotally connected at one of its ends with the outer end of each pin I53 and pivotally supported on each hand lever I52 intermediate its ends. A rod I51 is pivotally supported on the opposite end of the lever arm I56 and extends through the transversely extending tubular shaft I5I and has suitable gripping means on its end so movement of said rod will cause movement of the pin I53 in an obvious manner. It may thus be seen that the hand lever I52 on one side of the machine may be unlocked by operation of the lever I55 pivotally supported on said hand lever, or may be unlocked by operation of the rod I51 from the opposite side of the cutter head 51.

When the friction band I44 is engaged with the casing I30, the internal gear I31 will remain stationary and the planetary pinions R35 will rotate within said internal gear. This will cause rotation of the cage I36 and rotation of the planetary pinions I39 which will drive the inter nal gear I40 and the member I4I. When an ex:

cess load is imparted to either the member I4I or the cage I36, the friction band I44 will tend to slip which will decrease the speed of rotation of said internal gear and cage.

Means are provided to connect either the internal gear I40 or the cage I36 with the longitudinal shaft I29 for driving said shaft at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed. Said means herein comprise a clutch collar I 59 feathered on the longitudinal shaft I29 and having clutch jaws I60 on its forward end. Said clutch jaws are adapted to engage clutch jaws I6I connected with the cage I36 for driving the longitudinal shaft I29 at a relatively high frictionally controlled speed, or clutch jaws I63 extending inwardly from the hub I42 of the member I4I for driving the longitudinal shaft I29 at a relatively low frictionally controlled speed.

The clutch collar I59 is moved along the longitudinal shaft I29 to engage the clutch jaws I60 with either the clutch jaws I6I or I63 by means of a suitable system of levers which herein comprise a clutch yoke I64 having engagement with said clutch collar and operated by a clutch fork I65 fixed on a. transversely extending tubular shaft I66. Hand levers I61 are fixed on opposite ends of the transversely extending tubular shaft I66 for operating said shaft from either side of the cutter head 51. Suitable locking means are provided for locking the hand levers I61 in a fixed position to hold the clutch jaws I60 in engagement with the clutch jaws I6I or I63. These locking means are the same as provided to lock the hand levers I52 and may be unlocked from either side of the cutter head 51 in the same manner the hand levers I52 may be unlocked from either side of said cutter head.

A spur pinion I69 is keyed on the longitudinal shaft I29 adjacent the rearward end of the clutch collar I59. Another spur pinion I is keyed on the rearward end of the longitudinal shaft I29.

The spur pinion I69 meshes with and drives an idler gear I12 which in turn meshes with and drives a spur gear I1I freely mounted on the longitudinally extending shaft 66. The spur pinion I10 meshes with and drives a spur gear I13 in a direction opposite to which the spur gear "I is driven. Suitable clutch means are provided for interconnecting either the spur gear IN or the spur gear I13 with the longitudinally extending shaft 86 for driving said shaft in opposite directions without reversal of the motor I5. This clutch means may be of any type well known to those skilled in the art but is herein preferably shown as being a cone clutch I14 of an ordinary construction feathered on the longitudinally extending shaft 86 for connecting the spur gear "I with the longitudinally extending shaft 86 and a cone clutch I forconnecting the spur gear I13 with the longitudinally extending shaft 86. The cone clutches I14 and I15 are connected together by a suitable clutch collar so the transversely extending shaft 86 cannot be driven by the spur gears HI and I13 simultaneously and are shifted by means of a clutch yoke I16 operatively connected with a shifting fork I11 secured to a transversely extending tubular shaft I18. Said tubular shaft is journaled at its ends in the cutter head 51 and is operated by suitable levers and locking mechanism at opposite sides thereof so either the cone clutch I14 or I15 maybe connectedwith its respective spur gear I1I or I13 for driving .the longitudinally extending shaft 86 in opposite directions without reversal of the mo or .15.

It may thus be seen that the threaded shaft 16 may be selectively driven from the motor I5 in opposite directions withoutreversal of said motor for either moving the cutter bar toward or away from the cutter head 51 or for reversely pivotally moving said cutter bar about the axis of the splined shaft 98 depending on whether the clutch jaws 83 are engaged with or disengaged from the clutch jaws 84.

Referring now in particular to the means for moving the cutting element I4 along the transversely extending guide member 35, a portion I19 of said guide member extends forwardly therefrom adjacent the upper side thereof. and has a rack I88 secured thereto and depending therefrom. A spur pinion I8I is keyed on the rearward end of a longitudinal shaft I83 and meshes with the rack I88 so rotation of said pinion in one direction or the other will move the cutter head 51 and cutting element I4 across said transversely extending guide member in one direction or the other. Said longitudinal shaft is journaled in the cutter head 51 and is driven from either a friction cone clutch I84 or friction cone clutch I85 feathered on said shaft. The friction cone clutch I84 has connection with a spur gear I86 for driving said longitudinal shaft in one direction while the friction cone clutch I85 is adapted to engage a spur gear I81 for driving said longitudinal shaft in an opposite direction.

The friction cone clutch I84 or I85 is engaged with its respective spur gear I86 or I81 for driving the longitudinal shaft I83 in opposite directions without reversal of the motor I5 by means of a suitable system of levers connected with a transversely extending tubular shaft I88. Said tubular shaft is operated by a suitable system of levers and locked in its various operative positions by suitable locking means similar to that used for operating and locking the transversely extending tubular shaft I5I so will not herein be described in detail.

The spur gear I 86 is driven from a longitudinal shaft I89 by means of a spur pinion I98 while the spur gear I81 is driven from the longitudinal shaft I89 by means of an idler gear I9I and spur pinion I92. The longitudinal shaft I89 extends through and is driven from a suitable frictionally controlled planetary gear reduction device I93, which planetary gear reduction device is driven by the spur gear I21a secured to the longitudinal sleeve I 28 in a usual manner Said planetary gear reduction device is controlled by means of a suitable friction band I94 which is operated by a suitable system of levers in the same manner the friction band I44 is engaged with or disengaged from the casing I38. Said planetary gear reduction device is of the same construction as the planetary gear reduction device I3I so will not herein be described in detail A clutch collar I95, operated by a suitable system of levers in the same manner the clutch collar I59 is operated, is provided to connect the planetary gear reduction device I93 with the longitudinal shaft I89 for driving said shaft at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed.

Thus when the planetary gear reduction device I93 is connected with the shaft I 89 for driving said shaft at a high or low frictionally controlled speed and either one or the other of the gears I 88 or I81 is operatively connected with the shaft I83, the cutting element I4 may be moved across the transversely extending guide member 35 in one direction or the other Without reversal of the motor I 5 at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed.

It may be understood with reference to Figures 16 to 21, inclusive, that when cutting narrow places it is desirable that the cutter bar 64 be pivotally moved about the axis of the splined shaft 98 as the cutting element I4 is moved transversely along the transversely extending guide member 35 in order to sump said cutter bar into the coal and withdraw said cutter bar from the coal upon completion. of the cut across the coal face as the machine itself is in a stationary position on the track. As has before been described, pivotal movement of the cutter bar is controlled by the planetary gear reduction device I3I and the cone clutches I14 and I15, while transverse movement of the cutting element I4 along said guide member is controlled by the planetary gear reduction device I93 and the cone clutches I84 and I85. Each of these planetary gear reduction devices and each pair of cone clutches is operated by a separate lever and the gear reduction is such that under ordinary conditions the rate of pivotal movement of the cutter bar with respect to transverse movement of said cutter bar is so timed that it will be uniformly sumped into the material to be cut as the cutting element I4 is moved along the transversely extending member 35. In case hard spots are encountered in the coal, causing undue loads to be placed on the cutter bar and feed drive mechanism, the friction band I44 will slip on the casing I38 of the planetary gear reduction device I3I to slow down pivotal movement of the cutter bar 64, and the friction band I94 will slip on the casing of the planetary gear reduction device I93 to slow down transverse movement of the cutting element I4 along said guide member 35. While the cutter bar is pivotally moved about the axis of the splined shaft 98 simultaneously with transverse movement of said cutter bar, the drive mechanisms for effecting this simultaneous and pivotal movement are not shown as being connected or operated together since there are times during the operation of the machine when it is desirous that the cutter bar be moved transversely across the guide member 35 only, or be independently pivotally moved about a vertical axis. It may therefore be seen that it is preferable that the planetary gear reduction devices I3I and I93 and the pairs of friction cone clutches I14 and I15, and I84 and I85 be operated independently of each other. It is apparent that adjustment of the transverse speed of travel of the cutting element I4 or the rotational speed of the cutter bar about the axis of the shaft 98 may be manually accomplished by exerting more or less pressure on the friction bands for the respective planetary gear reduction devices through the medium of the respective hand levers as has hereinbefore been fully explained.

In Figure 16 the mining machine is being moved into an entry in position to make a cut across the face of the entry perpendicular to and in front of the end of the track. The hinged outer portions 48 of the guide member 35 are positioned parallel to the sides of the truck frame. In Figure 17 the hinged outer portions 48 of said guide member have been locked in aligned position and the cutting element I4 is shown as positioned to one side of said guide member, and the cutter bar is shown as extending parallel with said guide member. The machine is then moved forwardly along the rail on the track wheels I2 until said cutter bar may be adjusted to a position beneath the mine rails by means of the threaded shaft 16 or to any level at which it is desired to out. When said cutter bar is in such a position, the cutter chain 68 is put in motion and said cutting element is moved along said transversely extending guide member. Said cutter bar is simultaneously moved about a vertical axis and sumped into the face of the material to be out, the cutting machine itself being held in a stationary position on the track by means of the brake band 33 engaged with the brake drum 32 or by means of wedges inserted behind the track wheels or jacks interposed between the. mine roof and machine frame in a usual manner well known to those skilled in the art.

When the cutter bar has been sumped to the desired depth, pivotal movement of the cutter bar about a vertical axis may be stopped and the cutter bar locked in a fixed position with respect to the cutter head by means of the selflocking worm and worm gear 19. Said cutter bar then may be moved transversely across the face of the coal a distance depending upon the width of the place to be cut. The direction of movement of the cutting element along said guide member is then reversed and said cutter bar is again pivotally moved about the axis of the splined shaft 99. This withdraws said cutter bar from the material to be out, said cutter bar cutting out the uncut material as it is being withdrawn, and leaves the face of the coal completely undercut. This cutting movement described effects a out having a substantially straight face at the inside of the kerf in a place of substantially the same width as said guide, as is illustrated by Figures 20 and 21.

When the cutter bar has been completely withdrawn from the coal and is in a position substantially parallel to said guide member, it may be raised above the level of the mine rails and the mining machine may be backed along said rails on the track wheels l2. Said cutter bar and guide member are then positioned as shown in Figure 16 and the machine is ready to travel to a new working place. 7 Inasmuch as said cutting element may be moved along the guide member 35 in reverse directions without reversal of the motor at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed independently of pivotal movement of the cutter bar, and inasmuch as said cutter bar may be pivotally moved in reverse directions without reversal of said motor at either a high or low frictionally controlled speed independently of movement of the cutter head 5'! along said guide member, it may readily be seen that while the device of my invention is particularly adapted for use in narrow working places, it may also effectively cut in wide places and around obstructions in the coal seam.

One method in which the device of my invention may cut a wide place is clearly illustrated in Figure 22. In cutting a wide room there is a tendency for the machine to overbalance due to the fact that the cutting element is usually positioned in an extended position to one side of the machine frame during the initial cutting operation and the reaction due to cutting is on the same side of the machine frame. It is apparent that it would be impractical to construct the weighted base 102 of such size that its counter-balance effect would prevent the machine from overbalancing while cutting with the cutting element overhanging one side or the other of the truck. The means herein shown for h01d-( ing the machine to the track comprise suitable jacks, generally indicated by reference character 20!), interposed between the truck frame II and the mine roof in an ordinary manner well known to those skilled in the art. After the machine has been jacked down by said jacks, and brake band 33 has been applied to the brake drum 32, the cutting element is moved to an overhanging positon with respect to said main frame on the transversely extending guide member 35, the amount of overhang depending upon the width of the place to be out. The cutter bar is then turned so its longitudinal center line is inclined rearwardly with respect to said guide member and the cutter chain 66 is set in motion. The cutter bar is then rotatably moved about the axis of the shaft 9 and sumped into the coal until it has reached a position substantially perpendicular to said guide member. The cutter bar is then looked in stationary position with respect to said cutter head and moved across said transversely extending guide member to the opposite end thereof. Movement of said cutting element along said guide member is stopped when the ends of the cutter chain bits adjacent the forward end of the cutter bar are substantially adjacent the opposite rib and said cutter bar is positioned parallel with said guide member. The cutter bar is then pivotally moved about the axis of the shaft in the same direction as formerly until it has completely cut itself out of the coal. The cutting element I4 is then returned to a central position with respect to said guide member with the cutter bar in an elevated position with respect to the ground. The outer ends 48 of said guide frame are then folded along the sides of the truck frame and the machine is positioned for movement to the next working place.

It may now be seen that I have provided a new and improved track mounted mining machine and method of cutting in wide or narrow places while the machine proper is in a stationary position on the track; that this machine is so constructed as to give a maximum amount of movement of the cutter bar in various directions and angles with respect to the machine proper in a plane substantially parallel to the mine bottom, permitting the cutter bar to cut places of varying widths and more particularly to cut a relatively straight face in narrow places and readily cut out or around obstructions in the coal seam while the machine is in a stationary position on the track; and that all feeding or positioning movements of the cutter bar are variable and under frictional control.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, I do not Wish to limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown, it being understood that alterations or changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting myself to the particular embodiment illustrated, excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mining machine, a main frame, a transversely extending rectilinear guide member wholly supported by said main frame forwardly of the forward end thereof, and a chain carrying cutter bar wholly supported on said transversely extending guide member, said cutter bar being adapted to depend from said guide member and mounted thereon for translational and pivotal movement with respect thereto.

2. In a mining machine, a main frame, a transversely extending rectilinear guide member wholly supported by said main frame forwardly of the forward end thereof, and a chain carrying cutter bar wholly supported on said transversely extending guide member, said cutter bar being adapted to depend from said guide member and mounted thereon for simultaneous translational and pivotal movement with respect thereto.

3. In a mining machine, a main frame, a transversely extending rectilinear guide member wholly supported by said main frame forwardly of the forward end thereof, and a chain carrying cutter bar wholly supported on said transversely extending guide member, said cutter bar being adapted to depend from said guide member and mounted thereon for independent translational or pivotal movement with respect thereto.

4. In a mining machine, a main frame, a transversely extending rectilinear guide member wholly supported by said main frame forwardly of the forward end thereof, and a chain carrying outter bar wholly supported on said transversely extending guide member, said cutter bar being adapted to depend from said guide member and mounted thereon for simultaneous or non-simultaneous translational and pivotal movement with respect thereto.

5. In a mining machine, a track mounted main frame, a transversely extending rectilinear guide member extending across the forward end of said main frame and wholly supported thereby, a cutter head mounted on said guide member and wholly supported thereon for movement therealong, and a chain carrying cutter bar carried by and depending from said cutter head and guide member and mounted for pivotal movement with respect thereto independent of movement of said cutter head along said guide member.

6. In a mining machine, a track mounted main frame, a transversely extending rectilinear guide member extending across the forward end of said main frame and wholly supported thereby, a cutter head mounted on said guide member and wholly supported thereon for movement therealong, and a chain carrying cutter bar carried by and depending from said cutter head and guide member and mounted for pivotal movement with respect thereto simultaneous with or independent of movement of said cutter head along said guide member.

'7. In a mining machine of the class described, a track mounted main frame, a motor mounted on said main frame, a rectilinear guide member extending transversely across the forward end of said main frame and wholly supported thereby, a cutting element associated with said guide member for movement therealong including a projecting cutter bar, and self-contained plural speed means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member and for independently moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis including a pair of independent plural speed gear reduction devices.

8. In a mining machine, a truck, a motor on said truck, a guide member wholly supported by and extending across the forward end of said truck, an elongated cutting element associated therewith and adapted to revolve about an axis located near one end of said cutting element, means for revolving said cutting element about said axis, and self-contained means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions while said cutting element is revolving about said axis in one direction.

9. In a mining machine, a truck, a guide member Wholly supported by and extending across the forward end of said truck, a motor on said truck, a cutting element associated with said guide member and adapted to revolve about a center located near one end of said cutting element, self-contained means driven by said motor for revolving said cutting element about said center of rotation, and other self-contained means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions without reversal of said motor while said cutting element is revolving in one direction.

10. In a mining machine, a truck, a guide member wholly supported by and extending across the forward end of said truck, a motor on said truck, a cutting element associated with said guide member and adapted to revolve about a center located near one end of said cutting element, self-contained means driven by said motor for moving said cuttting element along said guide member in reverse directions without reversal of said motor, and other self-contained means driven by said motor for independently revolving said cutting element in reverse directions without reversal of said motor.

11. In a mining machine, a truck, a motor on said truck, a guide member wholly supported by and extending across the forward end of said truck, a cutting element associated therewith and adapted to revolve about a center located near one end of said cutting element, self-contained means driven by said motor for revolving said cutting element about said center of rotation, and other self-contained means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions while said cutting element is revolving in one direction including reverse gearing.

12. In a mining machine, a body, a guide supported by and extending transversely across one end of said body, an elongated cutting element wholly supported on said guide including a cutter head sl'idably supported on said guide and a cutter bar carried thereby for pivotal movement with respect thereto about a vertical axis, and self-contained means for swinging said cutter bar about a vertical axis and moving said cutter bar along said guide so its longitudinal center line lies at substantially right angles to the longitudinal center line of said body, and the extended center line of said body crosses the center line of said cutter bar between the ends of the latter when said cutter bar is at one end or the other of said guide comprising a motor on said body and a pair of independently operable gear reduction devices interposed between said motor and cutter head.

13. In a mining machine, a body, a motor, a guide supported by and extending transversely across one end of said body, an elongated cutting element wholly supported on said guide, means for so positioning said cutting element with re spect to said guide that its longitudinal center line lies at substantially right angles to the longitudinal center line of said body, and the extended longitudinal center line of said body crosses the center line of said cutting element between the ends of the latter, and means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element to cause said extended longitudinal center line of said body to approach one end or the other of said cutting element without reversal of said motor comprising a pair of independently operable gear reduction devices interposed between said motor and cutting element including reverse gearing.

14. In a mining machine, a body, a motor, a guide extending transversely across one end of said body, an elongated cutting element wholly supported on said guide, means for so positioning said cutting element with respect to said guide that its longitudinal center line lies at substantially right angles to the longitudinal center line of said body, and the extended longitudinal center line of said body crosses the longitudinal center line of said cutting element between the ends of the latter, a gear train including reverse gearing driven by said motor for moving said cutting element to cause said extended longitudinal center line of said body to approach one end or the other of said cutting element without reversal of said motor, and another gear train driven by said motor for changing the angular relation of said center lines with respect to each other.

15. In a track mounted mining machine, a truck frame having track wheels and axles thereon, a guide extending transversely across the forward end of said truck frame and wholly sup ported thereby, an elongated cutting element associated with and wholly supported by said guide for movement therealong and for pivotal movement with respect thereto, means for supporting said cutting element for adjustment above the level of the track in a vertical direction in a plurality of parallel planes for transportation and cutting above the mine bottom and below the level of the track for cutting along the mine bottom comprising an extensible adjusting member arranged in parallel relation with respect to the axis of pivotal movement of said cutting element.

16. In a mining machine of the class described, a track mounted main frame, a transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutting element associated with said guide member for movement therealong including a projecting cutter bar, and selfcontained plural speed frictionally controlled means driven by a motor on said main frame for moving said cutting element along said guide member and independently moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis comprising a pair of frictionally controlled plural speed gear reduction mechanisms.

1'7. In a mining machine of the class described, a track mounted main frame, a transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutting element associated with said guide member for movement therealong including a projecting cutter bar, a motor, and a pair of plural speed frictionally controlled drive mechanisms driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions without reversal of said motor and for independently moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis in reverse directions without reversal of said motor.

18. In a mining machine of the class described, a track mounted main frame a transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutting element associated with said guide member for movement therealong including a projecting cutter bar, a motor, and plural speed frictionally controlled drive mechanisms driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions without reversal of said motor and for independently or simultaneously moving said outter bar about a vertical axis in reverse directions without reversal of said motor comprising a pair of plural speed frictionally controlled gear reduction devices and reverse gearing associated therewith.

19. In a mining machine of the class described, a track mounted main frame, a transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutting element associated with said guide member for movement therealong including a projecting cutter bar, a motor, and plural speed frictionally controlled drive means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions without reversal of said motor and independently moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis in reverse directions without reversal of said motor comprising frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction mechanisms and reverse mechanisms associated therewith.

20. In a mining machine of the class described, a track mounted main frame, a. transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutting element associated with said guide member for movement therealong including a projecting cutter bar, a motor, and plural speed frictionally controlled drive means driven by said motor for moving said cutting element along said guide member in reverse directions without reversal of said motor and independently moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis in reverse directions without reversal of said motor comprising a frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction device driven by said motor for moving said cutting ele ment along said guide member, another frictionally controlled plural speed planetary gear reduction device driven by said motor for moving said cutter bar about a vertical axis and reverse gearing associated with each of said planetary gear reduction devices.

21. In a mining machine, a track mounted main frame, a horizontally disposed transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutter head mounted on said guide member for movement therealong, a cutter bar supported on said cutter head for vertical movement with respect thereto in a plurality of parallel planes for cutting a kerf on the mine bottom below the level of the track or at various elevations with respect thereto, said cutter bar being pivotally movable with respect to said outter head about a vertical axis independently of movement of said cutter head along said guide member.

22. In a mining machine, a track mounted main frame, a horizontally disposed transversely extending guide member supported forwardly of said main frame, a cutter head mounted on said guide member for movement therealong, a cutter bar supported on said cutter head for vertical movement with respect thereto in a plurality of parallel planes for cutting a kerf on the mine bottom below the level of the track or at various elevations with respect thereto, said cutter bar being pivotally movable with respect to said outter head about a vertical axis independently of or simultaneously with movement of said cutter head along said guide member for guiding said cutter bar to form a substantially straight kerf along the working place.

23. In a mining machine, a track mounted main frame, a horizontally disposed transversely extending rectilinear guide member supported 

